17.12. Resolving "Validity Unknown" Signatures

Note: This procedure describes how to resolve these errors using Adobe Reader.

If signatures display a "Validity Unknown" issue (as shown below), then your PDF application does not have the proper Certificate Authority certificate.

For a certificate provided by LincWare, if you click the Validity Unknown button on the generated form, you will have access to a download button, which allows you to download a .fdf file. This file contains information which reduces the complexity of importing the signature certificate into Adobe Acrobat and Reader.

1. For a certificate provided by LincWare, click the Validity unknown? button on the generated form.
   
   A new browser tab or window (depending on your browser settings) is opened, showing additional information concerning how to resolve the issue.
2. Click the download button.
   
   The LincWareDigitalSignatureIntermediateCA.fdf file is downloaded to your local system (the exact method and location varies based on your web browser). This file contains information which reduces the complexity of importing the signature certificate into Adobe Acrobat and Reader.
3. Open the downloaded file with Adobe Acrobat or Reader (even if you are using different PDF software for creating your forms).

   Note: You can access the free download of Adobe Acrobat Reader at this web site.

4. Click Add Contacts to List of Trusted Identities.
   
5. Select lincware.com in the Contacts list.
6. Select lincware.com in the Certificates list.
7. Click Trust.
   
8. Click the Use this certificate as a trusted root check box.
9. Click OK.
   
10. Click Import.
    
11. Click OK.
    
12. Close Adobe Acrobat or Reader.
13. Click the signature. It should now appear similar to the following example, with the "Validity Unknown" issue now resolved: